ST. PAUL, Minn.-- The UMAC is joining other NCAA conferences in celebrating Officials Appreciation Week throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. This marks the fourth year of the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) initiative to highlight and thank conference officials across all sports.

Officials Appreciation Week will be celebrated during the fall, winter, and spring sport seasons. To kick off the year, the fall celebration will take place from October 5-11, followed by the winter celebration from January 11-17, and the spring celebration from April 5-11.

The commitment of UMAC officials and referees to safe, fair, and competitive contests is a critical part of the student-athlete experience, and this initiative provides an opportunity to recognize their contributions. 

Officials Appreciation Week is one of numerous initiatives implemented as part of the DIIICA Strategic Plan for Collegiate Officiating, created following the DIIICA's Strategic Analysis of the State of Collegiate Officiating. In conjunction with the NCAA and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), the initiative also addresses the urgent need for more sports officials. Those interested in becoming an official can learn more by visiting the NCAA's Say Yes to Officiating platform.

In addition, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) and the DIIICA announced the launch of a new sports officiating recruitment effort this fall. The initiative is titled "Stay In the Game" (www.sayyestoofficiating.com/stayinthegame/) and is designed to help DIII athletes stay connected to sports through officiating. The program pairs athletes with mentors via the NASO GameSavers network, offering guidance, resources, and local opportunities to begin an officiating journey and continue making an impact in the game.